There is this observation from an unnamed source: "There is an old man up there ahead of you that you ought to know. He looks somewhat like you, talks like you, walks like you. He has your nose, your eyes, your chin: and whether he loves you or hates you, respects you or despises you, whether he is angry or comfortable, whether he is miserable or happy, depends on you. For you made him. He is you, grown older."
Sharing stories about the one who has "grown older" whether he/she is miserable or happy, helps preserve family history and children know their ancestors. Stories tell us who we are and where we came from, and this is important information for children to know. According to an Emory University study, children were asked "Do You Know" questions about their family history, and the data shows that the more children are aware of their history, the higher their emotional well-being. Also, the study shows that as children learn how their relatives lived through difficult times, such as war and natural disasters, they grow in confidence that they, too, can overcome difficulties.
Research from the field of narrative psychology shows that storytelling can improve well-being. When a person examines their stories more closely, reflects on what they mean and edits them as they evolve, those stories can help facilitate healing and growth. Additionally, the act of sharing those stories with others, even when feeling vulnerable, also adds to healing.
As people get older, they naturally reflect on their lives. In her work with people at the end of their lives in hospice settings, Erin Fitzgerald, FNP, notes that allowing and encouraging loved ones to share their stories can help to relieve stress in a dying person. "Sharing our stories and being heard by others reminds a person that their life has value. It can help a person see their life in new ways and can help to release tension or anxiety in the person."
